It’s the time of year when we reflect upon all the new restaurants we waited for and finally tasted, all the bites that surprised us, and all the delicious first meals we had. In a city where restaurants open and close fast enough to make diners’ heads spin, these are the kinds of restaurants we’ll resolve to return to in 2026, because whether it’s the cuisine, service, decor, or the vibes, our first bites certainly won’t be our last.
These are the hottest restaurants to open in Dallas this year.
Mamani
Open only two months before pinning a Michelin star to its cravat, this contemporary French restaurant from the team that brought us Namo and Bar Colette certainly made a splash in the Dallas dining scene. An executive chef with Joël Robuchon on his resume and a no-expense-spared interior finish-out didn’t hurt one bit. From stunning bread service to expert cocktails and that unmistakable duck presentation, there’s always more to go back for. 2861 Howell St., Dallas, mamanirestaurant.com
EVELYN
The opposite of understated, EVELYN opened in April with opulence in spades, which isn’t surprising considering its design team was behind the showy buildouts of STK and the Mexican. Not-so-subtle hints to a bestselling novel heroine of the same name include glam emerald green decor, cocktail names, and 1950’s vibes. Don’t miss the Parker house rolls with multiple butters, and the spinalis steak… if there’s still one left when you order. 1201 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, evelyndallastx.com
Sauvage
For those Dallas diners who love a creative tasting menu, Sauvage has just the thing. After closing his restaurant Carte Blanche, chef Casey La Rue opened Sauvage in a space at the foot of the Statler hotel Downtown. Similar to Carte Blanche, La Rue serves up memorable bites course after course at Sauvage. This time, the 12-seat dining room focuses on wild proteins and live fire cooking. Plenty of wow moments follow the first tastes, served atop a fir-decorated platter that offers a campfire feel that lasts until the dessert course, during which a bite of Texas sheet cake is topped with a torched black sesame marshmallow. 1914 Commerce Street, Dallas, sauvagedining.com
Sushi Kozy
The popularity of omakase-style dining has brought another new restaurant along on the wave. Sushi Kozy, on Ross Avenue in Downtown, brings a menu that is anything but simple. Small bites of fish, wagyu, and more, precede nine bites of nigiri, followed by a choice of land or sea tastings, a special tamaki course, and dessert bites. Anyone who’s been to Sushi Kozy can see why they were given a recommendation from the Michelin Guide this year. 2000 Ross Ave. Suite 150, Dallas, sushikozy.com
Casa Brasa
An anticipated new restaurant from much-lauded chef Omar Flores, Casa Brasa is as big as Texas: 10,000 square feet of Latin and Japanese fusion with a Dallas-style steakhouse soul. A focus on live fire cooking brings dishes like whole branzino “Divorciado,” and large cuts of meat cooked over white oak charcoal and mesquite wood. Don’t miss the signature Casa Brasa sushi roll, featuring snow crab, grilled jalapeño and asparagus with smoked daikon, and chili mayo topped with wagyu, leeks and salsa de piña. 8111 Preston Rd. Dallas, thecasabrasa.com
Kirin Court
It’s always great to see a new location bloom from a long-time, well-loved restaurant like Kirin Court. Now open in Plano, the Chinese spot offers the same dim sum dishes and huge menu that has kept its original Richardson location busy as can be for decades. Follow the carts as they move around the extra large space carrying dumplings, noodles, appetizers and more to the awaiting guests. 1301 Custer Rd. #850 Plano, kirincourt.com
Burger Schmurger
It feels appropriate to say “silly name, serious burgers” when talking about Burger Schmurger. The pop-up-turned-brick-and-mortar has had folks talking for years about their smashed cheeseburgers. And, in a town full of burgers, is this one really that good? The long wait out the door answers with a resounding, “Yes.” Try the Maverick, which has an inverted bun and won top honors at the local Chefs For Farmers Food and Wine Festival way back when Burger Schmurger was just a pop-up-shaped twinkle in Dave Culwell’s eye. 718 N. Buckner Blvd. Dallas, burgerschmurger.com
Frenchie
Take a quick trip to the land of steak frites with Frenchie, which opened in Preston Center in June. Billed as a casual French all-day cafe, Frenchie operates on the more approachable end of the Travis Hospitality Group spectrum, opposite Le Bilboquet, Georgie, and Knox Bistro. Guests flock to Frenchie to treat themselves to French classics like quiche, poulet rôti, tartare de boeuf, and crepes, with or without a signature freezer martini in hand. 8420 Preston Center Plaza, Dallas, frenchiedallas.com
Avra
Fancy a fancy Greek bite? Avra Estiatorio opened its stunning Dallas outpost in September, joining locations in New York City, Miami, and Beverly HIlls. The vibe is chic yet serene, and not too heavy handed with Mediterranean decor, but rather coastal and warm with a clear focus on fresh fish. A multi-course lunch offering is a great choice, with a traditional Greek salad, and a whole branzino as delicious options. Finish strong with a sweet bite of baklava. 300 Crescent Court #120, Dallas, theavragroup.com/avra-dallas
Winsome Prime
A steakhouse? In Dallas? Groundbreaking, we know. Over in Dallas’ Trinity Groves development, in the space formerly occupied by Network Bar, Winsome Prime arrived with Houston chops. The focus of Winsome Prime is on steaks, yes, but with distinctly Cajun and Southern influences. That’s how the menu ends up with dishes like Snapper Orleans, Collard Green Risotto, Chicken Royale, in addition to the typical filet, strip and ribeyes. Add a supper club, brunch, celebrity sightings, and a nightclub vibe after dinner, and it’s nothing to sneeze at. 331 Singleton Blvd., Dallas, winsomeprime.com/dallas
